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Salween Watch Newsletter

Tuesday, 16 March 2010 12:29

The latest newsletter from the Salween Watch Coalition gives an update on the Thai Prime Minister’s directive to study the impacts of the Hatgyi Dam, a new agreement on the upper Kunlong dam, and China’s plans to build seven new dams in eastern Shan State on tributaries of the Salween and Mekong rivers. There is also a profile of Sinohydro, one of China’s biggest hydropower companies that is involved in the Salween dams. Published in March 2010.

To download: English

Salween rally calls on Burma’s neighbors to halt dam plans

Monday, 15 March 2010 10:03

Hundreds of villagers from both Burma and Thailand joined affected peoples from around the world in marking International Day of Action for Rivers yesterday as plans by China, Thailand and India steam ahead to dam all of Burma’s major rivers.

51 groups from Burma urge Thailand to stop building dams in Salween war zones

Monday, 19 October 2009 09:08

Press Release On Salween Dams

Fifty one civil society organizations from Burma today submitted a petition to the Thai government at the ASEAN People’s Forum demanding an immediate halt to dam plans on the Salween River to avoid being drawn into Burma’s escalating civil war.

Press Release
Shan Sapawa Environmental OrganisationBurma Army clashes with Kokang at site of planned Upper Salween Dam
Shan activists are calling on China to immediately halt all investment in dams on the Salween River following the recent heavy fighting between the Burmese military regime and the Kokang ceasefire army near the site of the Upper Salween Dam planned by Chinese companies in northern Shan State.

New report- Roots and Resilience

Tuesday, 04 August 2009 00:38

The report “Roots and Resilience” by the Shan Sapawa Environment Organization focuses on the ecologically unique area of Keng Kham, a community of 15,000 that was forcibly relocated over ten years ago; the majority have fled to Thailand. Today the estimated 3,000 that remain are managing to maintain their livelihoods and culture despite the constant threats of the Burma Army and the impending Tasang dam.

Indigenous Shan cultural practices, river-fed farms, sacred cave temples and pristine waterfalls are depicted in photos from this isolated war-zone, together with updated information about the dam project, which has been shrouded in secrecy.
The 7,110 MW Tasang Dam is the biggest of five dams planned on the Salween River; the majority of the power from the dam will be sold to Thailand. Project investors include the Thai MDX Company and China’s Gezhouba Group Company.
Thailand’s support for the controversial dam was recently reiterated when the project was included in its national Power Development Plan.
Military tension has escalated in recent months in Shan State as the Burmese regime has been putting pressure on the United Wa State Army to transform into a “Border Guard Force.” Abuses linked to anti-insurgency campaigns are also on the rise.